FitSugar

Body Knowledge: Red Blood, Blue Veins?

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:00:18 -0700

There is a common misconception among kids that blood, as it courses through our veins on its return trip back to the heart, is blue.

When you look at your arms you see blue veins, but this is a trick of light, or rather a problem with wavelengths. According to Live Science, the blue waves of light are not absorbed by your skin, unlike red light waves, so blue is the color you see because it bounces back.

So what does happen to your blood as it moves about your body? Learn the details by reading more.

You Asked: Why Does the Sight of Blood Make Me Feel Faint?

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I have always wanted to donate blood, but just looking at blood sometimes makes me feel like I'm going to faint. I break out in a cold sweat and feel woozy. Oddly, it only happens when I see real blood, not onscreen blood in movies (I loved Twilight). What is causing this, and can I do anything about it?
- No Love For Blood

That is definitely a great question, and you are definitely not alone. To see why you swoon, read more.

First of all, be glad you are just feeling faint and not actually fainting, because the same causes are at the root of both responses. Fainting occurs when there is a sudden decrease in the flow of blood to the brain, causing people to feel dizzy, get pale in the face, and pass out. This reaction can be born out of fear or emotional distress as well as a drop in blood pressure.

When it comes to seeing red, the faint feelings could be tied to a phenomenon called blood-injury phobia. According to WebMD, this condition evolved as a way for humans to cope with threats:

"The idea is that back in time, when someone was coming at someone else with a sharp stick or rock, a kind of genetic variation allowed certain people to faint in response," explains Tyler C. Ralston, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in Honolulu, who treats people with blood-injury phobias. Warriors who fainted looked dead and were passed over during battle. The blood pressure drop also might have helped those who were wounded avoid bleeding to death. Survivors then passed on the "fainting" gene.

The good news is, this psychological condition can be treated by a therapist, rather than drugs or a medical procedure. WebMD recommends finding a psychologist trained in treating phobias who can help you develop relaxation techniques to fight the faint. Fascinating, right?

Source

What to Expect When Giving Blood

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:30:00 -0700

If you're a healthy young woman, why not spread the health by donating blood? It's an easy way to give back to the community and maybe even save someone's life. According to the Red Cross, someone in the US needs blood every two seconds, yet only 5 percent of eligible adults donate annually.

If you're 17 or over and weigh at least 110 pounds, you are eligible, with a few exceptions: You can't give if you're sick or on antibiotics, and new tattoos and travel to certain countries require a waiting period. But otherwise, there's no reason to wait - especially if you have type O blood, since your blood is accepted by all other blood types. Here's what to expect from your first blood-giving experience.

Before donating, make sure you are well-fed (preferably with iron-rich foods) and hydrated, and get a good night's sleep.
When you arrive, you'll sit through a quick physical exam, where a technician will take your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature to make sure you're healthy.
You'll fill out a form with your basic demographic info, and a staffer will ask you questions about your health and medical history.

For what happens next, read more.

A tiny finger prick will determine your blood count and test for anemia.
A staff member will swab your arm and insert the needle to begin filling the bag, a process that lasts about 7 to 10 minutes.
When a pint of blood has been collected, you will be escorted to an area offering refreshments and food where you can refuel and rest up.
The whole process takes about an hour. Afterward, be sure to get extra food and fluids, and avoid any strenuous exercise for about five hours.

Source

Do You Know Your Blood Type?

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:30:00 -0800

Blood is essential to our living, yet I know many people who aren't sure what type of blood is running through their veins. A simple test involving a needle can tell you whether you're a type A, B, AB, or O. If you're a type O, then you're considered a universal donor because anyone can receive type O blood.

I'm type A positive, what about you?

Source

Blood Type and Your Personality

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:30:00 -0800

We've heard about the school of thought that says blood type should dictate the kinds of foods we should eat, and there's also an idea that blood type defines our personality. A popular presence in Japanese culture, the topic was the subject of four books which were rated among Japan's top 10 bestsellers for the past year.

Much like the way eating for your blood type tells you to eliminate certain foods and eat more of others, the philosophy around blood type and personality says your blood should play a role in the jobs you take and the people you date. Japanese TV offers blood horoscopes, while employers may use blood type in hiring decisions and dating agencies include this information in their profiles.

The Guardian found a few examples of blood type and personality; to find out what your blood type might say about your personality read more.

Type A: Reserved and prone to worry, sensitive perfectionists such as Britney Spears and Adolf Hitler.
Type O: Decisive, self-confident, curious, and ideal for sport, including Elvis Presley and the Queen.
Type B: Cheerful, caring, flamboyant free-thinkers such as Jack Nicholson.
Type AB: High-maintenance, distant, suited to arts, such as Mao Zedong.

What do you think of the idea of blood type affecting personality? Do you buy it?

Source

STIs Explained: HIV and AIDS

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since today, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day, I thought I could dispel some myths and lay out the facts about HIV and AIDS. It is a serious issue so let's get down to business.

HIV - the human immunodeficiency virus - is a virus that kills your body’s "CD4 cells," (also called T-helper cells), that help your body fight off infection and disease.

HIV can be passed when an infected person's bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk) come in contact with an uninfected person's mucous membranes. The HIV virus can be passed during any type of sexual contact - including oral and anal sex. Sharing needles can also transmit HIV from one user to another. HIV-positive mothers can also pass it onto their babies when they are pregnant, when they deliver, or if they breastfeed.

AIDS - the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - is a disease you get when the HIV virus destroys your body’s immune system. That means that viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make you very sick since your immune system is damaged.

To prevent HIV and other STIs in the first place abstaining from sexual contact is your best bet, but the likelihood that happening is rare. So always use a latex or polyurethane condom when having sex. Or better yet, have you and your partner get tested before you get intimate.

Fit's Tips: Many people who have HIV do not show symptoms for many years, so the best thing to do is get tested just to make sure.

Want to know more about HIV and AIDS? Then read more

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
HIV and AIDS	rapid weight loss dry cough extreme fatigue swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck diarrhea that lasts more than a week white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders pneumonia	Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies. People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.	There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

STI

Symptoms

How do you test for it?

Treatment

HIV and AIDS

rapid weight loss
dry cough
extreme fatigue
swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
diarrhea that lasts more than a week
white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
pneumonia

Anonymous HIV testing is available in many places and it's usually free

You can have a blood test, or a simple oral test that checks for HIV antibodies.

People who have HIV antibodies are called HIV-positive.

There are treatments to help HIV symptoms, but there is no known cure yet

Source and Source

What's the Deal With: Lyme Disease

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

As a kid, I remember I got a tick on the back of my neck. My mother called the doctor frantically because she thought I'd get Lyme disease. We found out from this experience, that if you notice you have a tick or that you've been bitten, it doesn't automatically mean you have Lyme disease.

OK, so what is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium (called Borrelia burgdorferi in case you were wondering), which is transmitted by a bite from infected black-legged ticks. In the northeastern and north-central U.S., the blacklegged tick (or deer tick) transmits Lyme disease. In the Pacific coastal U.S., the disease is spread by the western blacklegged tick.

How do ticks get Lyme disease? When they feed on an infected animal, the tick takes the bacterium into its body. It sounds gross, but the bacterium lives in the gut of the tick, and the next time it goes to feed, the tick could transmit the bacterium to its new host. Due to their small size ticks can go unnoticed, so it is important to watch for initial symptoms of Lyme disease such as:

fever
headache
fatigue
characteristic skin rash called Erythema Migrans

If left untreated the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, causing painful symptoms and loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face (called Facial or "Bell's" Palsy). A lab test will determine if you have Lyme disease, and a few weeks of antibiotics will successfully treat the infection.

Want to see a picture of what the rash looks like? Then read more

If you notice a rash like this, see your doctor immediately. Here are some tips for preventing Lyme disease:

Cover your body when going out in the woods - wear long sleeves and tuck socks over the bottom of your pants.
Use insect repellent.
If you've been out in the woods, have someone check your skin for ticks. Especially behind the ears and knees, the back of the neck as well as in the armpits and groin area.

Source, Source and Source

Sweat May Spread Hepatitis B

FitSugar — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 14:00:00 -0800

This news isn't good. In a study of Olympic wrestlers, the hepatitis B virus was found in the sweat of infected individuals. This means that if anyone comes in contact with that sweat, and then it enters your bloodstream through broken skin or mucous membrane they could contract the virus.

The same goes for blood and other bodily fluids. Dr. S. Bereket-Yucel, from Celal Bayar University in Izmir, Turkey, tested for the hepatitis B virus in blood and sweat samples from 70 male Olympic wrestlers. 9 people already had the virus in their blood, and the tests found that the virus was found in the sweat of 8 out of those 9.

The reason this is such bad news is that once you contract Hepatitis B, it can either leave your bloodstream and you develop an immunity. Or after 6 months, if it hasn't left your system, you'll be diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B, and you can suffer severe liver damage.

So what does this mean? You probably shouldn't be rolling around on a mat half-naked with someone who you know has hepatitis B.

Seriously though, this brings new meaning to going to gyms, sharing equipment, or borrowing a used yoga or Pilates mat. Whenever possible, wipe off machines and equipment (like free weights). Most gyms have the policy to wipe things off when you're done, but you know there are people who don't.

Fit's Tips: I keep a little bottle of Purell with me so I can kill any germs that come in contact with my hands. I try not to touch my face at all, and when I'm done working out, I immediately go to the bathroom and wash my hands and face. It's sad that we have to be hyper-careful, but you've got to do what you can to keep yourself safe and healthy. Your best bet is to get vaccinated against Hep B.

What's the Deal with: Eating 4 Your Blood Type?

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 11:30:00 -0800

The Diet, Eat Right For(4) Your Type is based on the works of Dr. Peter D'Adamo, who found (in his extensive research) that people do better, in all aspects of life, when they tailor their diet to their specific blood types.

Here's a quick break down.

Type A's have thicker blood than other blood types, a sensitive immune system, and should not consume dairy products, animal fats and meats. They should basically stick to high carb, low fat fruits and veggies.

Type B's should eat a balanced diet such as fruits and vegetables, grains, fish, dairy, meat..duh! But avoid chicken.

Type AB's should consume a mostly vegetarian diet, and only on rare occasions some fish, meat (no chicken) and dairy.

Type O's are the oldest blood type. They should stick to a high protein diet, low in carbs with fruits and vegetables. They should limit the intake of wheat products, corn as well as avoid dairy products and most nuts.

The diet is claimed to be a solution to staying healthy, living longer & achieving your ideal weight. And I must say, it's pretty convincing.

Fit's Tip: If you're not sure what type you are, your driver's license may reveal it. If you're interested in doing this diet, you should definitely buy the book ($16.47). There is A LOT more to it than my summary above and a lot of interesting stuff about blood types and disease as well as recipes specific to each type. Buy it here.

Blood Energy Potion: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:14 -0700

I consider myself a big fan of True Blood and Twilight, but I'm beginning to think the whole vampire craze has gone too far. I recently came across a blood energy drink and I've been creeped out ever since.

Blood Energy Potion ($6) is the same color and consistency of blood and it comes packaged in an IV bag. Besides an four-hour energy complex, it contains iron, protein, and electrolytes. It's suppose to mimic blood right down to its nutritional value.

This drink lets you play blood-thirsty vampire except you don't have to go out and kill anyone, and your blood is fruit punch flavored. I can't see myself sipping on synthetic blood, but it might be kind of hilarious to see someone drinking this at the gym. What do you think of this latest gimmick in energy drinks?